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Comments: I didn't have any concrete goals for this race, just a general idea that I wanted to go sub 30, and possibly get a new PR. I wanted to "run hard" and see how well I could manage that without a pacer. Compared to my April race, I immediately could tell that it was more humid, but I headed out for a fast start. There was a bit of weaving in the first mile, but I wouldn't call the race crowded. As I hit the first mile marker and saw a split of 9:46, I wondered if I'd be able to get that PR. In the back of my head I also wondered if I could keep running that fast...and even faster. I started to feel a bit tired, and thought I'd grab some water at the halfway point. As soon as the water hit my mouth I started coughing, so I spit it out and tried to keep going. From that point on I coughed occasionally, and I wasn't feeling great. My legs were feeling fine, but my lungs were just not letting me push any harder. I kept checking in with myself: its a 5k...do you hurt enough? No? Push harder! There's a long hill heading towards the mile 3 marker, and it was tough going. I checked my watch more than I ever have in a race. I realized a PR wasn't going to happen, but sub 30 still could. I tried to put the gas on, but my face started to feel tingly. Once I hit the mile 3 marker I made the final turn and headed for the finish line. I pushed as hard as I could, and didn't have anything left to give as I crossed the line. What would you do differently?: Nothing. Although I'm disappointed that I didn't PR, I'm quite pleased with the sub-30, and this is simply where I am right now.  Post race
Warm down: In April when I crossed the line I had to keep walking to keep my hamstrings from seizing up, and every muscle in my body ached. This time as I crossed, it took quite awhile to catch my breath, I felt like my face was on fire (and boy was I pink) and my skin tingled all over. My brother was at the finish line to meet me, and we walked over to my car, and I finished off my bottle of nuun. We walked around a bit, cheered in some people, and I did some leg swings to keep my hips happy. What limited your ability to perform faster: Aerobic conditioning. I'm no expert, but when your breathing is what keeps your pace down, that means the aerobic engine needs work, right? My zone 2 training just started a week or so ago, so I am really excited to see what happens when I race this course for the third time this year come November. Event comments: I LOVE races at Fairfax Corner! The course is just the right amount of difficulty, there's plenty of parking, and they always seem to have live music. Such fun, and I highly recommend the Potomac River Running races held here. Only quibble, when I ducked into a portapotty to change before heading out to breakfast, there was no toilet paper! Ew. Last updated: 2016-06-12 12:00 AM
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United States
64F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = 100/276
Age Group = F 35-39
Age Group Rank = 12/35
I slept fitfully, and was awake before my 6am alarm. I downed a cup of black tea with milk and stevia, and 8 ounces of tri-berry nuun. I took a quick shower, dressed in a blue tank and my Coeur tri shorts, simply because they're the comfiest running bottoms I have. Around 7am I had an applesauce pouch, and at 7:15 headed out to the car to drive to the race site. Parked, pinned my number on, and tucked my phone and keys into my SPI belt.
I jogged briefly around the event site, probably no more than 3 minutes. Just shaking out the cobwebs. I stretched out my achilles and did some leg swings to loosen up my hips. About five minutes before "go" time I headed towards the start line. Seeding at these events is tough, as I don't want to get caught behind walkers, but don't want to get in the way of the speedy runners.